Fangs of the Exiles
Rated M
Rwby
Summary:
Life is not about what happens to you, but what you make of it... At least that's what everyone says. Two faunus will answer whose way is right, carrying the will of a titanic kingdom while the other, the spirit of one who shouldn't exist. Forgotten, their paths will cross, for better or worse.
A/N:
Chapter 12: When it Falls-3
[Sacred Vale Hospital]
The kingdom of Vale started to heal her wounds slowly as the weeks passed. Many of the White Fang's members were either detained, dead or had escaped to the remote regions beyond the kingdom's border while the Grimm were kept at bay. Although it was worse for wear, the academy still existed. Sadly, it wasn't without costs.
While heroically assisting in the defense of the school, several pupils and huntsmen perished. Some of them sustained injuries and were transported to the nearby hospital, where they underwent tests and examinations every single hour of the day.
Within one of the rooms, a beaten Sango lay prone in his bed, his entire body bandaged. To his disgust, the sounds of his pulse rate, steady and constant, would lure him in and out of his drowsy condition. He wanted nothing more than to sleep and avoid the painful pounding in his skull. His eyelids flickered open as he cautiously attempted to acclimate to the harsh lights of the hospital ward, but sadly the sparse minutes of tranquility would have to do.
Alone...
The sight of pale white walls around him made him feel both grateful and shocked. His aching body reminded him of why he was there in the first place, and he refused to argue with it. To avoid tempting the mistress of misery once more, he sank into steady and regulated breaths. Only once the pain had abated did Sango allow for further investigation.
How did I survive?
Images of the abominable monsters flashed through his thoughts, reminding him of the gravity of his situation. They would rise one at a time and then fall to his might. He couldn't remember how he achieved it, but he was aware that at that instant, he felt more airborne than the wind itself. The only other thing that troubled him was Adam, who had managed to flee amidst the chaos.
That's when his eyes shot open in horror.
"Yang! Roxanne! Ciel!"
"I wouldn't jolt yourself like that if I were you," He fell upon Glynda Goodwitch standing at the door, her face twisted in a stoic frown that dared him to comment on the innuendo. "You took a lot of damage during your skirmish."
"But, what about-?"
"The young ladies are being taken care of as we speak. You should focus on your recovery."
"Please, they were hurt and... Scylla! What happened to...?!"
"Will you allow me to speak or will you continue to drown me with questions? The last thing we need is you tearing open your stitches!" she peered over her glasses. Seeing him nod silently, Glynda sighed to herself, pulled out her scroll, and began sifting through the available files. "Each one was assessed and listed as alive and in somewhat physically stable condition. Both Miss Xiao-Long and Octane sustained serious injuries but... It's nothing that can't be worked through barring any complications."
"Complications?"
Sango's worry soon morphed into a knowing expression.
"You're hiding something..."
"Only because I'm not certain that you're ready to hear what's happened and..."
His gaze was fixed on his bedsheets, a useless distraction from the imagery that was clawing its way back to the surface. The educator could see the desperation, that need to know the truth outweighed her attempts at protecting his feelings. It was like he knew what she was going to say; her words would only serve to confirm his suspicions.
"I... I need you to confirm it, Miss Goodwitch."
"Glynda..."
"Excuse me?"
"You may call me Glynda now. Given all that's occurred, formality is an unnecessary luxury."
Sango nodded again.
"Glynda, please tell me what happened to them?"
"Very well. I can't reveal everything, but, after the latest updates, Miss Xiao-Long suffered the loss of her right arm as a result of a sword attack. The reports state that it was a clean slice just above the elbow, claiming most of the bicep area as well." Goodwitch lifted her eyes just barely, noticing the absent look on the panther's face. She contemplated ending things there, but she would see this through. "As for Miss Octane, her left arm was severely burned, though it was miraculous that she didn't suffer any permanent nerve damage. Perhaps it was her semblance, but for now, they are both released into the custody of the former's father at the Xiao-Long residence."
A ghost of a smile began to jerk at his lips only to fade when another worry tried to slither in.
"Is there any word on the others? She was hurt pretty badly when we got her to the medics."
Once more, Glynda checked the records through her scroll. One by one, it took a few minutes until she landed on the files of the feline faunus, finding Ciel's report right below her.
"It states that Miss Soleil was fortunate enough to be brought in for treatment when she did. Due to massive blood loss, however, she's listed in critical condition. However, it states she's to undergo a transfusion."
Sango felt a pang of guilt throb in his chest after hearing this. While he didn't know Ciel personally, she was an Atlesian - like him. They were supposed to look out for their own at least. At least that was what the creed he lived by. He was about to inquire about whether his blood would be a match, but something else struck him.
Someone whose fate was dire when he departed.
"What about Scylla?"
"She's gone..." The voice that answered wasn't Glynda, but the Atlesian general. "But, you needn't worry about that right now. There's much we need to discuss."
"James!"
"Glynda... We need the room; Urgent matters."
The blond was about to unleash her wrath on the man, stopping short predominantly due to the beeping of her scroll. Ironwood could feel the evil stare burning through his skull until she departed the room. Even with his iron will, the man couldn't stave off the shiver that ran down his spine; death. It was no surprise considering his poor choice of words, but there would be time to deal with that. He needed to take care of the issues at hand before things got out of hand.
With Elm Ederne by his side, this shouldn't be too difficult.
"Good to see you're doing well, Sango..."
"Thank you, General..."
"You look like hell," Elm chuckled, pointing at his darkened right eye.
Sango thought to give a snarky rebuttal, but one grunt ended that notion. How could he think that this was a casual visit? It was just as the man told Glynda: Urgent Matters.
"It's time. Have you made a decision?" Ironwood asked, no longer beating around the bush.
Ren, Nora, and a recovering Pyrrha observed with trepidation as their leader paced back and forth. Despite their expectation of an outburst, Jaune's composed and deliberate demeanor unsettled them. He emitted a fusion of fury and grief as he eventually focused his attention on his partner. "Did you take into account the team's well-being when you chose to withhold this information?" he demanded.
"Jaune, please try and understand! I..."
"What do you mean, Pyrrha?!" he shouted, tears streaming down his face. "That you chose to act like some hero on your own?! We all know what happened after you and Aganju accompanied Ozpin; it was selfish!"
"I was trying to avoid anyone else getting hurt!"
Pyrrha, you were being egotistical! Jaune retaliated, denying his companion the opportunity to escape responsibility. "You'd always tell me that our strength was nothing compared to that of a group; strength in numbers." We are more powerful as a group than we ever could be separately."
Despite feeling nostalgic, Pyrrha knew there was no time to dwell on past lessons. She was currently being held accountable for her actions. Though Jaune Arc was not the most exceptional student at Beacon, lacking traditional skills such as bravery and strength, he compensated for it with his strategic abilities. This made it even more frustrating for Pyrrha to be scolded by him as if she were a child.
"You're right, Jaune. I'm... I'm sorry."
"Alright, Jaune!" Nora hopped from her seat. "You've made your point."
"I agree." Ren crossed his arms. "While we are proud that you're taking this seriously, I think it's time we bury the hatchet and begin to heal and move forward as a team. Pyrrha made a terrible decision, but the main thing we should focus on is that Pyrrha's alive and will recover. Compared to the fate of others, we should be grateful for such a fortunate outcome."
"You guys..." Jaune clenched his fist. "You all really think this is a joke! How can we 'move forward' when one of our own decides to galavant as this 'warrior of destiny'?! How could you possibly treat this as a joke when our teammate abandoned us?"
This time, Pyrrha was insulted by the blond's choice of words.
"Excuse me?"
Oh, do I need to go over the list? First off, you withheld information from everyone on your team that was so crucial to the big bad's acquisition of ultimate power! How about the time you left us to battle terrorists like the White Fang, the Atlesian Knights, and the Grimm?!"
"I was sworn to secrecy, Jaune! Professor Ozpin told me that this wasn't something I could just go about telling everyone!"
"Right... And I supposed you felt obligated to accept his offer because it was your destiny?"
"What would you have had me do, Jaune?!"
"How about telling him no?!"
"It wasn't that simple...!"
It was painfully easy, Pyrrha! You made a deliberate decision to be some sort of unseen hero who would save the day..." Jaune laughed hysterically, with sarcasm oozing from his every pore. "Did you expect it to be like a fairytale? Maybe you were hoping for an exciting adventure like the ones in your Red Huntress books. I'm sorry to have to point out that this isn't how things work in the real world! PEOPLE DIED!"
"Jaune, that's enough!" Nora stood up, clearly annoyed by the one-sided berating, though he ignored her.
"Interestingly, I could forgive you for all of that if you hadn't tried to ditch Aganju..."
"What?" Pyrrha felt her body convulse at the mention of the faunus.
"JAUNE!"
Finally, the usually quiet Ren rose to his feet and blinked at his leader. There would be a silent conflict between the two. After many seconds of silence, Ren's stare grew softer as he understood what'd driven Jaune to behave in such a way. Betrayal. Self-loathing. Regret. Jealousy. He was silently condemning himself for failing to defend Pyrrha. In a way, it appeared as though Jaune wished he had accompanied Pyrrha wherever Ozpin took her.
But he didn't...
Although Pyrrha bore some responsibility, Jaune's anger was misplaced and unjustly aimed at her. Pyrrha needed to understand the sentiments of her team, especially considering the unfortunate events that led to her untimely fate. However, it was unfair for Jaune to confront her during her recovery while she was already grappling with feelings of shame. Thankfully, Jaune eventually recognized his mistake and sought to make things right with Pyrrha.
Except Pyrrha was nowhere to be found.
"I guess he did believe in me..."
"You were truly one of his favorite students. Professor Ozpin would go on about your potential and you've lived up to his expectations," Glynda Goodwitch nodded with a gentle grin before standing up. "I must go but, you should get some rest after your next visitor arrives."
Glynda, seeing his perplexity, motions for his guest to enter. He was surprised to see Pyrrha, even though she was on crutches. Seeing her alive made the misery he was experiencing worthwhile, though he couldn't shake the sense of betrayal he felt as she approached his bed. His right eye was hidden by the long strands of hair that appeared to be hanging loosely down his face.
"Hey..."
"Hello..."
Glynda left them to catch up, content with her role, and flashing a look at an unknown person in the hall before leaving the building. She still had a lot of errands to run, especially one involving a certain professor.
Meanwhile, Pyrrha hobbled her way to the seat next to his side. As the two refused to look at each other for various reasons, awkwardness began to permeate the area. Aganju thought back to the horrific incidents that occurred when he had used his aura excessively; even he shuddered at the thought of a dark and depraved version of himself. Pyrrha was embarrassed by what she had done, fooling him with a kiss before abandoning him on a kamikaze mission.
"Pyrrha?"
Jaune was right! How could I do something so terrible?
"Pyrrha?"
She clenched her eyes, trying desperately to hold back the tears that stung her eyes.
"I'm so sorry...!" she broke. "I'm sorry for hurting you. I was selfish and foolish and it nearly cost us our lives! If I hadn't done something so stupid just to try and be a hero, none of this would've happened!"
Seeing Pyrrha criticize herself, Aganju leaned forward to embrace her, despite his sore body. This only made her cry even more as her guilt ate away at her. "I don't deserve your kindness or your friendship! I just- Mmfph!"
Her deprecating comments were silenced when she found her face buried in the boy's chest. His bandaged arms snuck around her shoulders, leaving her to whimper in confusion. Why was he hugging her? Shouldn't he be furious with her?
"Agan?"
"What you did was stupid..." he dryly spoke. "But, there's no need for me to repeat what Jaune's already said."
"You... You heard of that?"
"I think the whole floor heard him, Pyrrha."
Pyrrha simply hummed in acknowledgment, still stinging from the earlier encounter. As long as she'd been at the school, she'd never seen the blond that angry. The way he shifted from outrage to a burst of unhinged laughter, she was unnerved by the image. If it weren't for Nora and Ren, who knows how far he would've gone to prove his point?
"He wasn't wrong..."
Aganju tilted his head, watching as she pulled away, taking a seat that was next to his bed. Her eyes were downcast, a faded hue replacing the majestic gems he'd come to enjoy. If it wasn't clear that she was in turmoil before, this was all the evidence he needed. He placed a hand on hers only to have her snatch it away in such a way that resembled someone being burned.
"You don't have to beat yourself up about this."
"Why shouldn't I?" she choked back the tears; Tiny drops of guilt would win the battle, streaming down her bruised cheek. "Everything Jaune said was true! Even though I came to Beacon to escape the reputation placed upon me, I just couldn't help myself! I tricked you after agreeing that we would defend the tower together! I was selfish and look where it's gotten me...!"
Aganju wouldn't dare utter a word, opting instead to let his friend have the opportunity to dislodge the pressure that she'd been holding on for so long. It broke his heart to see her like this, yet, if he was being honest, he was also grateful that she was doing this.
"Maybe if we left together, we could have gotten someone to help! Maybe Scylla and Esu would've been okay. We could've helped Roxanne or, at least... I don't know!" she lamented. "I feel like such a failure! I should've died that night on the tower..."
"That's enough."
Pyrrha abruptly froze. The sound of Aganju's voice dropping several octaves did this, even without raising his tone. A bead of sweat replaced the tear streak, chilly yet soothing on her warm cheek. The atmosphere in the room carried the same heaviness as the one she left, daring her to challenge the one responsible.
She forced herself to look at him as if she'd been summoned by some mysterious force. Gone were the emerald eyes that matched her own, replaced by a dark violet hue that captured her senses. There was no anger, only authority that made her feel weird in her stomach.
"Aganju?"
"I can understand your guilt, but I'll be damned if I'm going to sit around and let you say something so fucking stupid! You should have died that night? Give me a break..." he scoffed in a way that reminded her of Weiss whenever she felt slighted by anyone thinking themselves better than her. "Since when have you ever been willing to take the easy way out? When did Pyrrha Nikos become conquered?"
"I lost and you were hurt! You lost an eye because of me!"
This time the vulpine's lips curled into a perplexed frown. "What are you talking about? I can see just fine."
Unsure of his claim, Pyrrha dared tuck the tufts of hair out of his face only to heave softly at what she saw. Gone was the smooth brown skin, replaced by darkened and singed flesh. But, adding to the shock was the disappearance of the dazzling violet replaced by a gleaming crimson hue. She was correct in her assumption that he had suffered some form of damage, it wasn't as dire as she figured.
True to his words, Aganju was following her moments with both eyes perfectly, even if they were mismatched colors now.
She had so many questions, but for the time being, she was just grateful that his sight hadn't been taken away from him. Aganju noticed a tiny shift in tone around the girl, which he saw as a blessing.
"I'm... I'm so happy that you're... you're..."
"Are you truly sorry for what happened?"
"Sorrier than I've ever been before..."
"Okay then. I forgive you..." he smiled warmly. "Now can we move past this?"
"But... I..."
"No 'buts'. What's done is done..." he smiled gently. "Sure, it'll take time before things are back to normal, but no matter what happens, I'm not going anywhere."
Rather than argue, Pyrrha simply bowed her head, allowing a tiny giggle to pass her lips. For the first time since being rescued from Beacon Tower, she felt at ease. However, with things involving her team, she wasn't ready to return to her room just yet.
"Agan?"
"Hmm?"
"Would you mind if I...?" Her attempted inquiry wrought a furious blush on her face. "Could I stay here with you, just a little longer?"
Aganju nodded in agreement and shifted positions in his bed to make room for Pyrrha. She carefully climbed onto the firm mattress and cuddled up close to the fox. His answer was to wrap an arm over her delicate frame, his fingertips tracing circles down her back. This appeared to quiet her racing heart as the two fell asleep.
[CCT Tower]
After a month, the damage wrought upon Beacon rocked the kingdom of Vale to her core as well. Though the physical damage could be fixed within a matter of months, the long-term damage was a different story; Her citizens now lived in constant anxiety. It wasn't enough to warrant the Grimm, but nobody would deny that it was a thin line.
With Ozpin gone, Glynda took over as headmaster and its responsibilities.
The psyche of the students was scattered at best and demoralized at worst.
Many had opted to transfer to the other three academies rather than stick around for the rebuild, not that the woman could blame them. In truth, she was grateful that many of them desired to continue their education, even if it was elsewhere.
She had issues to deal with at home.
Sitting at a makeshift office at Signal's combat school, she analyzed her student's status files after the time that passed. The first set of files mentioned Yang Xiao-Long. After losing her arm in the battle, she sunk into a depressive funk, even after returning to her home at Patch. Next was the faunus, a severely burned Roxanne. To her surprise, the young woman opted to follow Yang to Patch and recover.
Speaking of the pair...
Moving down the list, the newly christened director began to filter through the other members of their respective teams. Weiss Schnee; Returned to Atlas w/her family. Blake Belladonna; Missing. Ruby Rose; Stable Condition/Schooling status: unknown. Jaune, Nora, and Ren were similar cases, which troubled her.
Rumor had it that they left after a few months when the snow first settled on the kingdom. If this was true, then they were out of her jurisdiction. Fortunately, a little birdy promised to keep an eye on the four.
"Excuse me, ma'am?" green optics tore themselves away from the screen to observe a young woman entering. Glynda knew her quite well, though under a different guise. "They're waiting for your arrival."
"Finally ditching the disguise, Peach?" the headmaster sighed, curled lips betraying her usual stoicism. "I have to admit, pink was never a flattering color on you, Olivia."
"Ugh... Please, use my real name, Glynda. I still never forgave Oz for using it as a cover..."
"Be that as it may," Goodwitch pressed her glasses higher. "It's nice to see a friendly face right now, Amelia. I hope that James didn't give you any problems. I would hate to have to hear his insufferable complaints about Ozpin granting you asylum."
Amelia Tortuga flipped her long aquamarine braid with a huff.
"No problem at all... Because I never met with him or his escort," sensing a stern rebuttal, the former Atlesian raised a hand. "Trust me, Glynda, with the way he and Elm were earlier, there was no chance of diplomacy. He went on about betrayal and going AWOL before spewing nonsense about keeping a tighter grip on his subordinates, especially that girl who was with the robot."
"You're not referring to Ciel, are you?"
"That's the one!" Amelia snapped her finger to emphasize her point. "He said something about putting her under supervisory protection once she's recovered."
Glynda was furious. The woman's insinuation suggested that James was willing to break Valerian law just to boost his fragile ego. Glynda briefly considered retiring early due to this revelation. However, she quickly dismissed the thought and picked up the phone. After speaking with Sango, she was able to find a suitable donor for Ciel's transfusion, although it was an unconventional choice.
She made a call to the hospital to check on the status of the girl only to find out some startling developments. Another few minutes passed before she hung up, dialing another number, much to Amelia's confusion.
"Who are you contacting now?"
"The council..."
"Are you certain about this? I wasn't even a part of your team. How..."
"Ciel..." the petite girl turned to the image of a lightly bandaged redhead. Her smile was calming, almost like a big sister's. "We would be more than happy to have you. "
Ciel couldn't deny that, especially when navy blue ears began to twitch giddily; a side-effect of the procedure. She was grateful that someone cared enough to do this. Being a representative... FORMER representative of Atlas Academy, astonishment wouldn't begin to describe what awaited her when she found herself lying next to a smiling Aganju, hearing that he was the one to provide her with a new lease on life. Despite his recovery needs, he still volunteered to donate blood to assist in her surgery!
What she expected was a one-way trip to the afterlife, not awakening to the news that she was alive, but also part faunus. Her condition was something that baffled doctors, but she found the situation both enlightening and amusing. In a way, he wasn't just her savior, but like family.
It'd been a crazy month.
"My apologies..." she coughed into her hand. "It's just still so overwhelming what's happened so far! I... I don't know what to say?"
"You could say yes!"
"That wouldn't be a good idea..."
Everyone's attention shifted to the door. The sight before them was all too familiar, and it evoked a sense of worry and apprehension. Aganju and Pyrrha were taken aback to see the panther faunus standing in front of them. Dressed in his white and blue uniform, many would blindly assume that he was an angel sent from the heavens; a symbol of peace and protection.
Unfortunately for Ciel, she was aware of the situation and her fingers quivered as she clutched onto the sheets tightly.
"Professor Sango!" Pyrrha raised a brow. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to report that I will be heading back to Atlas, effective immediately. I'm here to retrieve Miss Soleil."
The air was immediately sucked out of the room when he announced his intentions. A gasp passed Pyrrha's lips, while Ciel's trepidation manifested in the form of her fennic-like ears splayed against her head.
"What are talking about? The doctors said she needs another few weeks of rehabilitation before she's ready to be discharged!"
"The general has deemed her fit enough," Sango stepped in, his posture and tone brimming with an ambiance of arrogance and unearned command. "She'll be transferred to the best medical facility on Remnant, so there's no need to worry. Now, step aside."
Pyrrha was shocked by how much Sango had changed since they last met. The kind and empathetic educator she remembered had been replaced by a strict and authoritarian figure. Sango's eyes held no trace of compassion or regret. Pyrrha couldn't believe that this was the same person who once prioritized mental health. Despite Sango's insistence, Pyrrha stood her ground, determined to protect Ciel from any harm.
"I'm sorry, but no one's brought this information to Ciel! It would be an egregious display of malpractice to assume this without confirmation of a medical official."
In no mood for a debate, Sango hardened his glare, silently wishing it wouldn't come to this.
"Miss Nikos, we are on a tight schedule and I'd appreciate it if you could make my job easier."
"This isn't right!"
"I won't ask again!" he growled.
"She's our teammate now!"
"Stand aside..."
Pyrrha felt something off within her mind. She felt her body move... but, she wasn't the one in control. Her consciousness screamed for her to break the chains on her senses, yet her body was on autopilot. Ciel watched in horror as Pyrrha complied with his instruction, taking a seat across the room without a single complaint.
"Miss Soleil," the girl carefully faced him. He could practically hear her heart pounding through her ribcage. "Gather your things and come with me..."
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
Sango ceased his advance. His attention was brought back to the young fox sitting on the nearby bed. Like him, Aganju held a fierce glare, challenging the notion that the elder male was in control. To any annoying fangirl, this would've been viewed as a badass moment, but he didn't care about that. This was no act, and Sango knew it.
"If you're thinking of getting in my way," he bore his fangs. "I suggest you LIE DOWN, like a good student."
"Is that part of your semblance?"
"..."
Unlike Pyrrha, Aganju threw his legs over the side of the bed, finally allowing his feet to touch the chilly floor since returning from the O.R. He didn't show the slightest bit of reluctance, matching glares with the faunus.
"You have a bad habit of interrupting my plans, kid..."
"Like with Merlot?"
This time, the panther flinched slightly upon hearing mentions of the mad scientist. Was he awake when I said that? If so, then there was no need to keep up the facade any longer. Unlike the injured girls, this one would need to be handled with a bit more force.
"I wouldn't get too cocky, Aganju."
"You pronounced confidence wrong," the vulpine grinned, his simmering malice as evident as the walls that surrounded them. "You might have everyone else fooled by your gentle persona, but, like most Atlesians, you're nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing. You see anyone connected to you as expendable, hence why you're here, correct?"
"Tread lightly..." Sango snarled at him. Behind his features rested an intensity as he held back the urge to manhandle the injured boy. He wasn't 100% himself, but he was in better shape. "...I heard about your little transformation. If that wasn't enough, you have a connection to the cause of all this, don't you?"
"If you're implying something, I suggest you spit it out!"
"If I'm not mistaken, you and Miss Nikos were in direct contact with the suspect, Cinder Falls," Aganju narrowed his eyes at the sharp words pointed at him. "From the reports, it seems she managed to escape even though she was severely injured thanks to Ruby Rose. However, with you two being much stronger than her physically, I wonder how she managed to not only get the best of you but also escape."
Misconstruing evidence. Blackmail.
Aganju cut his eyes toward the shut door, concentrating just enough to notice others were outside of the room. Though he couldn't tell who, it was best that he didn't say too much; Sango had backed him into a corner.
Thankfully, cornered animals only fought harder as a result.
"That's an impressive spin to the story, sir. It's almost as intriguing as your failure to protect my friends," Aganju spat in the lowest tone he could muster. The game being played had nothing to do with those around them, but a secret war that'd been brewing between them ever since they encountered each other. "Scylla died on your watch. Esu is missing... Probably dead too, huh?"
"Casualties of battle," Sango remarked coldly.
"Your trusting students! Those who looked up to you and trusted your judgment were either injured or dead because you decided not to act!"
"You must be insane if you're willing to put all of the blame on me. It's nothing more than a temper tantrum from a naive child."
Aganju smiled wildly. "Except, it was declared that she died at the hands of Adam Taurus, the leader of the White Fang's assault. On top of that, Ciel and some others mentioned you being there when Scylla arrived to help. She also mentioned that he recognized you by the mere mention of your name. Sounds to me like you two had a personal connection yourself. Maybe you let him escape while spilling the blood of my innocent teammate?"
He wouldn't get the chance to say more when Sango grabbed him by the collar of his hospital shirt. Fists clenched, the younger faunus refused to back down, even in the face of the Atlesian warrior.
The fox and the panther; Two predators contesting the values of the other and drawing the line in the sand. While one valued the bonds shared with those at Beacon, the latter appeared to care only about completing the mission now. Gone was any pretense of friendliness between them. They didn't care. Silver flashed in the presence of morphing crimson pools, hidden agony clashing with the others.
"Watch your mouth, brat!" he hissed.
"Piss off, asshole!"
"That's enough, Operative Bagheera!" Everyone turned their attention to the door, this time spotting General Ironwood himself. If Ciel felt ill before, she looked completely worse for wear as her face paled at the sight of the man. "Ciel, we need you to come with us immediately or else..."
"Or else what?"
General Ironwood took a deep breath, finally casting his remorse away from the faunus. Still, the damage had already been done. There was no going back after what'd been revealed. Out of his desperation, the man was willing to resort to underhanded tactics to assure he'd gotten his way. A costly miscalculation.
"Glynda?" The hush that fell over the room echoed its impending judgment as Glynda and a familiar figure strolled into the room. "You again?!"
"We meet again, General Ironwood. Elm..."
"What are you doing here?!" the burly woman roared.
"Not about to blow a gasket, that's what, Elmwood..."
Grabbing her hammer, Elm was stopped only by her leader's hand.
"I wasn't aware that you were coming, Glynda! I thought you'd been swamped with paperwork and the restoration efforts?"
"Clearly," the woman rolled her eyes. "I was under the belief that you and your soldiers fled back to Atlas only for me to find that you and your subordinate are still lurking around in the shadows and trying to smuggle an injured student. To what do I owe this blatant disregard for Vale's jurisdiction and authority?"
Ironwood knew that he was in hot water.
"If you'd allow me the chance to explain..."
"I'm listening" she folded her arms. "Or would you prefer me to clarify how you and your subordinates have ignored Valerian laws that offer asylum to any in need of it? Last I checked, Ciel Soleil has not officially been discharged due to potential complications post-surgery. On top of that, she's begun to manifest faunus traits that require further tests and observations to ensure the safest and most effective means of recovery. Why are you interfering?"
"Because she has Atlesian technology and knowledge that is both confidential and potentially critical to the kingdom's security, should she be captured by our enemies?"
"Cut the act, James!" Glynda stomped her foot, accidentally sending some debris in the air via her semblance. "You and I both know that as a member of the council yourself, and a holder of two seats, mind you, it is practically impossible for them to determine one girl could bring down an entire kingdom. Given your military prowess, I find it unlikely that you would disclose such sensitive information to a young woman, especially the artificial girl you created."
"Excuse me?"
"What Headmistress Goodwitch is saying," Tortuga cut in with a shit-eating grin that irritated the trio. "There is no evidence that Ciel had prior knowledge about Penny's true nature, a fact that we're certain you already knew, General!"
"I... You don't know what you're talking about!"
"Then perhaps I can clarify..." the aqua-haired woman stepped forward with an air of confidence. "Amelia Tortuga, a former member of Dark Ops. I was able to gather information on former and potential members of your secret program over the years after I disappeared. After hours of investigation, I found that all those registered under this classification are considered non-existent. Should we perish in the line of duty, there would be nothing to tie us to Atlas or any other kingdom, including little Ciel."
"What are you saying?"
"Never mind that, Specialist Ederne. You and Sango should head to the ship while we finish our conversation."
The silence once more filled the room with its suffocating presence, leaving all to contemplate what'd been spoken of. The children had no idea the rabbit hole ran so deep, or that there was a rabbit hole to begin with. But with what they'd all learned during their respective times under their respective academies, this should've come as no surprise.
Elm was confused, though she remained upright and willing to follow the general's orders without question. Sango took a few seconds, but he too followed the orders given, ignoring the whispered call of 'lap dog' from Aganju after he released him. Glynda and Amelia glared daggers at the elite officer who simply stared back with an apologetic grin, departing with his ally.
Though there was nothing evil about him, it was clear that there was no way he could explain his reasoning.
"As for you, James," Glynda finally liberated the breath she'd been holding onto. "I'm glad we were able to arrive before you caused an international incident. While Mr. Bagheera was given a choice on his future, you have shown once again that your rigid sense of duty causes more harm than it prevents. Whether you like it or not, Ciel is under the protection of Vale, at least until she decides to go elsewhere, should she make that decision. This order applies not only to Miss Soleil but to any persons affected by this crisis."
Ironwood was left with nothing. Every word she said was accurate, and he could tell by the expression in her eyes. Any action he took without asking for permission would cause more issues than he'd like to handle. The fewer things on his plate, the better, with the likely clamor for a national lockdown on the horizon once he returned.
"As far as we're concerned, James" Glynda added. "Wherever she decides to go upon her release, we will help her."
"I choose to transfer to Vale!"
The fivesome turned to the blue-haired girl.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, Miss Goodwitch!" she confirmed through shaky breaths. "I also would like to join Aganju and Pyrrha as a member of their team."
Ironwood couldn't conceal his surprise at the spectacle before him. His plan had failed, and he had been defeated. Despite Ozpin's lack of direct involvement, the old man's influence had taken hold and was now bearing fruit. A small grin, void of malice, stretched his lips as he bowed his head in defeat.
Well played, old friend.
"Very well. If this is truly what you want..."
"It... It is, sir."
"Then go with my blessings" he bowed respectfully, pivoting on the ball of his foot to head out. "Should I give your father a message?"
Unable to speak again, the girl simply shook her head with a gentle smile. Nothing more needed to be said as the general took his leave. Only then did the fog of tension begin to lift, allowing everyone to breathe a little easier. Pyrrha felt her strength return while Aganju felt his temper begin to subside
"Thank you, everyone..." Ciel struggled to hold back her tears, eking out her gratitude.
"There is no need to thank us! When you decided to stay, you chose to be accepted as a citizen of Vale, and our teammate! You're one of us now."
Aganju nodded in agreement, much to the amusement of their teachers. While it might've been a bumpy ride, it appeared that their efforts were not in vain. Amelia Tortuga couldn't help but cheer up the mood by expressing her delight with how they handled the situation, but Glynda was still a bit concerned. Ironwood was willing to leave without further incident, but it still didn't help the situation of the students.
Team CFVY decided to go Vacuo while renovations were in progress. Team RWBY was bestrewn, with Weiss and Yang at home due to family intervention and injury while Blake and Ruby herself were M.I.A. Her father, Tai-Yang put her mind at ease a little when he brought her a letter that revealed the girl was going to Mistral along with 3/4 of Team JNPR.
As for Team ASRE, things were far more complicated. Scylla was unfortunately one of the casualties of the attack on Beacon. Esu had been regarded as missing, but Glynda, just like her predecessor, knew more than she was willing to admit. After Aganju awoke, he wasn't in the best of mental states. With how he handled Scylla's death and Roxanne's injuries, revealing what she knew would have to wait until he was in a better place in his soul.
But, she still held the burden of the truth...
[Unknown Location]
The vast expanse of a dark kingdom emanated with chaos as Grimm creatures enveloped the perimeter of Evernight Castle. They stayed just out of reach, avoiding the wrath of the powerful being who resided within. A never-ending blanket of purple and sanguine hues covered the land, casting an ominous glow on the many pools of demonic tar. Even the hellish beasts, known for causing chaos, dared not approach the solitary structure.
...For fear of their master; Ironic for creatures who normally thrive on such negativity.
Yet, their actions were justified as they shuddered from the palace.
Inside, a horrific shriek echoed from within its hallowed walls, a tone of agony and rage slamming fruitlessly against the rigged barrier. No one would come to save the one crying out for mercy for there was none to be given.
Only that which was necessary to keep them alive.
Cinder Fall.
The wounded Fall Maiden lay in a sterile room, strapped down to a frigid metal table writhing for an end to her torment. Above her stood a slender older man with a syringe in his hand and a wicked grin behind his thick mustached face. There was no denying the sickening glee he possessed, gazing down at the helpless woman. He had no qualms about inflicting pain for the sake of progress.
"I see the patient is handling her treatments rather swimmingly..."
Her amber orbs glowered with as much hatred as she could conjure in the middle of the anguish as the scorching in her body started to abate. He only grinned at her feeble rebellion, enjoying her husky snarls and her scorched body.
"Be grateful, Cinder. Such advancements were perceived as impossible mere months ago; consider yourself a pioneer."
"F... Fu..."
"Please, Her Grace has already informed me of your inability to speak after taking such a blow. Honestly, if it weren't for your haughtiness, you might've succeeded in the destruction of Beacon. Still, I must admit that you're truly a resilient one, the ONLY reason why she still keeps a stray like you around."
Cinder's glare softened after the man's last statement.
The ONLY reason...
She closed her eyes, focusing on the tingling throughout her form. If nothing else, it was a relief not to have to see that infernal look of satisfaction on the man's face.
Painful memories of defeat resurfaced, causing more distress. The memory of Ruby Rose, among other reasons, contributed to her misery. Ruby's silver eyes shone brightly and Pyrrha Nikos, known as the 'Invincible Girl', though defeated, remained alive. The haunting eyes of Aganju served as a constant reminder of the power that person still held, despite being left behind.
Cinder felt something foreign enter her heart, something that, for all of her screaming, had managed to bring a small wave of tranquility: Pride in someone else. Sure, she despised the fact that he was still a weakness of hers, but she respected his growth.
Next time, things will be different...
"How is she, Arthur?"
"Surprisingly, she's managed to calm herself despite the excruciating effects of the transplant. Her vitals are stabilized despite a lack of anesthesia, per your orders."
The woman, a ghostly pale visage outlined with purple tendrils stared at the unconscious woman with both awe and intrigue. She came to investigate Cinder's condition after the screams abruptly concluded only to find her in such a state of tranquility.
"Proceed as scheduled and keep me updated on any complications. I still require word on details about the assault" She turned to leave the medical room. "I find it difficult to believe that dear Ozpin's students were capable of besting her under their power."
"Ma'am..."
"Yes?" her voice, gentle and motherly, somehow made the man flinch.
"I... Cinder's crew cited a girl with silver eyes..."
"Oh? That is an interesting development."
"There was another burst of light similar to the one that injured Cinder during the attack. It may be a coincidence, but it's safe to say that there might be two of them..."
Salem, the mistress of darkness and ruler of the Grimm, rubbed her chin thoughtfully at this revelation. Could Ozpin have been knowingly responsible for this? She negated such an idea, knowing her adversary well. One warrior is easy to conceal, but two? Perhaps it was probable that this mysterious event was a coincidence. Such a revelation would need further meditation.
"Is there anything else, Watts?"
"Nothing but the ramblings of her cohorts about some faunus who challenged Cinder," Salem fixed her bloody eyes upon the befuddled man. Arthur merely pulled out his scroll to show the woman what he meant. Before her eyes was a faunus who rushed through the crowd of Grimm, noticing a minor detail within the few seconds that held significance. "That Emerald girl happened to catch this and said it was important. Nonsense if you ask me."
Salem studied the footage more before spinning on her heels, leaving the man to his procedure without another word.
As Salem rounded the corners of each corridor, each stride she made had purpose. She didn't care about anything around her as her heels clattered on the rough surface. Salem's thoughts were filled with many questions, many of which simply served to further perplex the woman. When she eventually made it to her quarters, the image of what she had seen kept playing back in her mind.
A deep breath...
She could only manage that before her lungs began to cramp. Her heart, which was dark and brimming with resentment from a time far before this era of man, grew larger. Salem stretched out and touched the area where her heartbeat was racing the fastest and her stomach was churning at the smallest brush of her fingertips. She dared not blot out her vulnerability as a single tear raced down her ashen cheek.
That dark crimson began to glow, not with rage, but with irreparable grief and a hint of hope shining through the inky depths of her soul. A knowing look abolished any semblance of patience while Salem permitted a shady smile to materialize.
"How long has it been, my dear prince?"